BFI Visit

Yesterday we went to visit the British Film Institution. This time the trip was based around Youth, Media and Collective Identity, as opposed to last time the day was based around our opening sequences. The was hosted by Mathew Hall and he started of with a presentation on "Cunstructing the Teenager". He was explaining different character in different TV shows that we all watch and asking why they are relatable for young people. Some ideas were that we all know someone like that or have experienced someone similar.

Then Matthew did a presentation on Youth Culture in British Film. He showed us different clips from films from a selection of youth culture films such as "Rebel Without A Cause" and "Quadrophenia". He gave us a couple of theorists to look up and link their theories to collective Identity.

The first theorist was Jacques Lacan. This was his theory;

"Lacan proposes that human infants pass through a stage in which an external image of the body (reflected in a mirror, or represented to the infant through the mother or primary caregiver) produces a psychic response that gives rise to the mental representation of an "I". The infant identifies with the image, which serves as a gestalt of the infant's emerging perceptions of selfhood, but because the image of a unified body does not correspond with the underdeveloped infant's physical vulnerability and weakness."

This theory explains that a child begins to develop their identity whey are intelligent to look into a mirror and recognise themselves. This backs up the idea of collective identity because as soon as a child is able to realise they have an identity then they want to be part of something and dont want to be the same as everyone else. Lacan was not a media theorist but the mirror theory is used widely by the media to construct collective identity.


After lunch we then watched a film called "My Brother The Devil" and after one of the producers Julia Godzinskaya came in so the audience could ask her questions.

I thought the film was a very good youth culture representation about two teenage brothers who must face their own prejudices head on if they are to survive the perils of being British Arabs growing up on the streets of gangland London. It touches on alot of issues including homosexuality. It was a very controversial moment when the main character turns out to be gay. This is why I think the film was very good because it touches on every topic that most suburban london gang films do but it was unexpected to touch on these other issues.

Watching this film especially helpful for myself, Dave and Andrew, because it is a suburban drama similar to the short film we are creating.

Overall I feel the day was very helpful and it was nice to visit the BFI again this year.